Amid the joy of seeing the lesser spotted Daniel Sturridge scoring twice on his return one gleeful Liverpool fan pointed out that he has scored more goals than Wayne Rooney this season despite living in a hospital.

There is a little mischievous exaggeration at play in that observation but Sturridge has certainly seen the inside of his fair share of medical facilities over the last year, notably in America where he has spent several weeks with experts trying to find a long term solution to his injury woes.

It is performances like Wednesday evening, his first start for two months, which recall the 26-year-old's potential for greatness and explain why Liverpool are so determined to unlock the secret to keeping the striker injury free.

Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge returned to both action and the goals on Wednesday night against Southampton

Sturridge scored twice for Liverpool as they hit Ronald Koeman's side for six in the Capital One Cup

Sturridge (left) points to the clouds alongside his Liverpool team-mates in Southampton after grabbing a goal

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His two superb finishes within four first half minutes were a reminder to fans of how Sturridge can execute goals few others can, one of English football's rarest talents and most prized assets. For new boss Jurgen Klopp, it was the first time he had witnessed him play in the flesh.

'Maybe Daniel can be better,' he said afterwards, 'Write that. Jurgen said maybe he could be much better. I said to him after the game: 'Now I know what everybody is talking about.' I knew about his quality but not live in a stadium.'

Liverpool and England striker Sturridge winces in pain during the game against Crystal Palace at Anfield

Liverpool striker Sturridge picks up a thigh injury while on international duty with England

Sturridge traveled to America in order to undergo surgery in his bed to try and clear up injury woes for good

TOP ENGLISH DOMESTIC SCORERS DURING THE 2014-15 SEASON

Jamie Vardy: 14

Harry Kane: 8

Ross Barkley: 7

Jermain Defoe: 7

Callum Wilson: 5

Daniel Sturridge: 4

Troy Deeney: 4

Wayne Rooney: 3

The joy of seeing Sturridge play a leading role in undoing Southampton in that 6-1 rout, he has now scored four goals this campaign to Rooney's three, was tinged with frustration for his supporters who have been denied it for large swathes of his career.

There is also the worry that he could be on the sidelines again very soon. It is difficult not to consider the possibility Sturridge's comeback could be curtailed again when you list of injury setbacks over the last year which meant he made only seven league starts last season.

In August 2014 he returned from Liverpool's pre-season tour early with a hamstring injury, then the next month injured his thigh during England training and in October that year was sidelined again after suffering a calf strain, again in training.

No sooner had he returned to full training again than he was back on the treatment bench with a thigh injury. In March this year, he injured his hip in a defeat against Manchester United which ruled him out for the remainder of the season and required an operation in May.

Sturridge nets for Liverpool as Southampton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg fails to deal with his effort

Sturridge celebrates in Southampton after netting against the Premier League side during their cup fixture

Sturridge shakes hands with manager Klopp after being substituted for Jordon Ibe just before the hour mark

He made three appearances this season before yet another injury, this time to his knee ruled him out again. He was on the brink of a comeback early in November before a foot injury postponed his return until last night.

STURRIDGE LIVERPOOL STATS

2015-16

Appearances: 5

Goals: 4

2014-15

Appearances: 18

Goals: 5

2013-14

Appearances: 33

Goals: 25

2012-13

Appearances: 16

Goals: 11

The Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have taken a keen interest in Sturridge's fitness, they are after all paying his £140,000 a week contract, seeking a solution to his worrying succession of muscle injuries.

They paid for him to go over to Boston, the capital of Massachusetts' where they own baseball team the Red Sox. He initially flew to the States back in early May to work with physiotherapists and fitness coaches.

The decision was then taken for him to travel to New York where he was operated on by renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Bryan T Kelly. Sturridge has previously spoken about his gratitude for what Liverpool's owners have done for him.

'I like America, the way of thinking is different,' he said, 'When you're injured it's important to have a different mentality. You have to channel yourself that you're not a football player, that you could be a boxer or a tennis player or whatever it may be.

Boss Jurgen Klopp is all smiles following Liverpool's easy victory against Southampton on Wednesday night

'You have to have a single-minded mentality to get back in the best shape possible. When you're injured it's important to have that type of mentality. That's why, being out here, I'm single-minded, zoning in on what I have to do and it's great to be here.'

Now he's back in action and seemingly firing on all cylinders it is essential for his future that he remains injury free.

With Liverpool just six points off the top of the table and apparently reinvigorated by the arrival of their German manager, a healthy Sturridge could see them challenge not just for the top four finish which Klopp is aspiring, but for the main prize.